When faced with the problem of sticky summer skin, we so often turn to a thick coat of absorbent powder or extreme mattifying makeup to undo the damage that heat and humidity wreak. But lately, we’ve found ourselves drawn to a more delicate fix in the form of blotting papers, which, when used correctly, turn into the queen of stealth skin saviors.

They’re elegant in their simplicity—whisper-thin sheets drawn out, one by one, to take in oil before it consumes your face. During Japan’s Edo period, the aburatorigami, as they were called, were beloved by kabuki actors and geisha because they left makeup untouched. As that sort of light-handed gesture, blotting papers are best used preventatively—to soak up moisture before it’s truly visible—and modern iterations stay true to that subtle spirit, looking entirely chic when pulled from your clutch.

There’s Morihata’s shining black leaflets, kept in a slick flip-book and steeped in purifying charcoal from Kyotan bamboo. Tatcha’s cult abaca leaf sheets come packed in a sleek palm-sized tube, a smattering of gold flakes pressed into each one, and so do the peach-colored, petal-scented papiers from Serge Lutens. Those from Mai Couture are infused with essential oils and other ingredients (calming lavender, brightening Vitamin C) that lend extra skin care benefits and a pretty pastel tint, while Milk Makeup’s Roll + Blot papers, made with unbleached hemp fibers, are a no-fuss alternative to blanching powder—the cool-girl secret to looking always dewy, never drenched.